Water cooler and dispenser



April 18, 1939. w. c. wlLLETs Y WATER COOLER AND DISPENSER Filed Sept. '7, 1937 W//A/w C Muff INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

'I'his invention relates to water coolers and dispensers and contemplates improvements in devices of this character.

It is common practice in the industry to pro- 5 vide some form of container generally called an olla, for the holding of water, the olla as a rule being porous so that Water tending to pass through the olla is evaporated on the exterior surface, with the result that water within the olla is chilled and cooled.

Various attempts have been made to increase the cooling effect by surrounding the olla with a Wick of some form, the wick being moistened either by waste water or otherwise, so that a constantly Wet surface is exposed to air and surface evaporation of the liquid effects a cool ing of the water within the olla. Other com mercial users have employed ollas in which the porosity is regulated because it is well known that in hot Weather an olla has a tendency to sweat and in so doing use a large quantity of the water Within the olla. Where such treated ollas are used, various means have been employed to cool the water within the olla by surrounding the olla with a Wick, having portions thereof received Within a drip pan, the wick being saturated with water through capillarity.

I have found the methods above outlined generally unsatisfactory, unsanitary, wasteful of the water Within the olla, productive of odors and expensive in that it requires frequent change of the olla and replacement with new ollas.

An object of my invention is the provision of a container wherein maximum cooling eiect 5 thereof is effected in a novel and inexpensive manner.

Another object is the provision of a container for water which is inexpensive in cost of manufacture, novel in design, which may be assembled .1,0 from standard parts now generally used in the bottled water industry, and which may be utilized either with or Without a stand.

Another object is the provision of a container and dispenser for bottled water having parts so arranged and constructed that maximum cooling effect of the dispenser and container may be at all times eifected.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a container and dispenser for bottled water utilizing a Wick exterior the container adapted to be saturated with water in a novel manner, to the end that the Wicks during the time that water is within the container are at all times kept saturated to effect maximum cooling (Cl. 62-143) Y eifect during evaporation of moisture from the wicks.

Another object is the provision of a dispenser and container for bottled Water utilizing a novel means for effecting cooling of the water Within the container, and in such a manner that the container is not subject to atmospheric dust or contamination.

Other objects of the invention will appear from a detailed description thereof in the body of the specification, and with the above set forth objects and others in mind, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as disclosed in a certain embodiment in the accompanying drawing, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved container shown in cooperation with a stand,

Figure 2 is an enlarged View, partially in section, and in fragment, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional View on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, with the metal cover removed, and,

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Referring now with particularity to the drawing, I have shown in Figure l, in elevation, the improved dispenser adapted to receive bottled water, together with a standard for holding said dispenser elevated above a supporting object.

.Figure 2 illustrates certain details of the dispenser, sometimes calledan olla. In the present instance, however, the present dispenser designated as an entirety by I is formed of a clay provided with glazed interior and exterior surfaces, with the grain structure relatively close so that water or other liquid within the container does not readily seep through the same as in the ordinary red-brick-type ceramic olla. In this connection, it is, of course, realized that the glaze or glost cannot be dense; otherwise liquid would not pass therethrough after the container was baked in the kiln. I do not wish, however, to be limited to a glazed type of container or dispenser as other types may be readily utilized within the purview of my invention. The dispenser is shown partially in cross section and the same includes an enlarged body 2, a neck 3, and a sloping wall 4 interconnecting the neck and body. The base 5 of the body may be of lesser diameter than the external diameter of the body, the periphery of the body and the base being joined by a sloping annular wall 6. The mouth end of the neck 1s slightly constricted in diameter, as shown at 'L Adapted to in part surround the neck at the zone of juncture between the sloping annular wall 4 and said neck is a trough-like member 8. This trough-like member includes a bottom wall 9 and a side wall II), the walls being in angular relationship. In actual practice, I may form the neck, body and trough-like member in one piece, this being conveniently effected in the manner well known to ceramists wherein the body and the neck may be cast, the trough-like member cast and placed over the neck into the position shown in Figure 2, after which the parts are baked, and a rigid structure results. observed that a support, which may be termed a base-member I I to distinguish it from the base 5 of the body, is adapted to carry or support the dispenser as an entirety. In this connection, this base member II may be formed of ceramic material. is annular in form, and is provided with an annular iiange I2, thus providing an annular groove between the base of the body and the flange I 2 when the body is resting upon the member II. This member II is likewise formed with an annular depending flange I3 on what would be called the bottom surface thereof. The top surface included between the flange I2 is formed with an annular groove I4. This base member or support, as stated, may be an integral part of the dispenser as an entirety or the base-member may be secured permanently to the base 5 of the olla or container in the well understood manner, which consists in pressing said surfaces together before baking. The glost is applied to the ceramic members, after which they are baked. Baking, of course, fuses the glost and holds the several ceramic members together.

This base-member II is formed with a groove I5 and the side wall of the body is provided with an opening I 6 to receive a dispenser spout or faucet member designated generally as I1. Adapted for placement around the neck 3 and on the external surface thereof is a wick I8. This wick may be in the form of segments of a cylinder or entirely annular, with one portion thereof received within the confines of the trough 8. A second wick or wicks I9 surrounds the periphery of the body, and particularly the side wall 2 and likewise the flange I0 of the trough member 8. This wick I9 may be of annular onepiece formation, or it may be divided into two segments of a cylinder, thus leaving air spaces between the segments. An auxiliary wick 20 may contact the wick I9, be received within the confines of the trough and in turn contact the wick I8. When the wicks are in segments or elongated strips, the wicks may be pressed around the body of the container, the periphery of the flange IU, over the top of said flange within the confines of the trough, and then pressed around the neck. If two of such strips were utilized with air spaces between contiguous side or marginal portions thereof, said wicks may be conveniently held in position of service by any suitable means, such as clips or rubber bands passed around the body and the neck and over said wick. It will be noted that the lower end of said wick or wicks I9 is received within the groove I4, in the present embodiment, although said groove I4 is not essential to the invention.

Adapted to in turn surround the wicks is a metallic cylindrical cover 2I. This metallic cover adds to the aesthetic appearance of the device It will be and said cover may also carry a top 22 closely sur-r rounding the neck, as see Figure 1. The cover' is formed with a groove 23 to permit passage of' the spout I'I therethrough. Where a standard is utilized, it is convenient to provide the threelegged type shown in Figure 1, the upper end of the legs 24 of the standard being secured to an annular ring 25, and an intermediate portion of the legs likewise being secured by a further annular ring 26. This construction gives rigidity to the structure. The ring 26 is provided with a loop 21 adapted to receive a drip cup 28, the cup being positioned directly below the spout I'I. The method of holding the spout or faucet II to the olla has not been detailed, as ordinary practice is resorted to.

The top of the neck is provided with a flanged annular rubber gasket 29, and a bottle 30 adapted to contain water, is inverted over said neck in such a manner that the neck of the bottle is received within the confines of the neck of the olla with the portions of the bottle surround the neck adjoining the body and resting upon the gasket as best illustrated in Figures l and 2.

The operation, uses, and advantages of the invention just described are as follows:

If we assume the parts in the position shown in Figure l, it will be observed that the exterior surface of the wick both for the neck portion and the body portion of the container is surrounded with a cover and a top adapted to prevent dust and dirt from contacting with said wick. Deleterious substances mixing with the wet wick tend to clog the pores of the wick and eventually render the same inoperative.

By providing a channel between the periphery of the base 9 of the reservoir trough 8 and the periphery of the inclined annular wall 4, air may circulate in this area, thus affording air contact with the inner surface of the wick I9 to further cool the container or olla. The same effect is accomplished by the provision of an air channel between the lower portion of the wick and the periphery of the inclined wall 6 of the container.

The construction of the container is such that the presence of the trough or reservoir does not add to the external diameter of the container, with the result that the metal cover readily slips over both the neck and the body. It is for this reason that a neck portion is provided having a reduced diameter to accommodate the trough or reservoir. If we assume that the reservoir has been iilled with water, say waste water poured through opening 22a in cover 22, the wick I8 will become saturated in the well understood manner, to-wit, capillary action. This wick may form a continuation of the wick I9 or a separate wick, as shown in the drawing and illustrated at 20 and may contact the wick I8. The wick which surrounds the exterior surface of the body of the container contacts with the wick 20 and water from said wick is transferred to the wick I9 by capillary action. The water received by the wick I9 will readily be absorbed by the said wick, both by capillary action and by gravity. Water received within the groove of the base will, by capillary action, tend to rise within the wick I9.

As I have before stated, the wick may be divided into two portions, which may partially surround the container and the neck or may closely embrace both members.

The reservoir or trough acts as a positive means for delivering water to the two sets of wicks and from a central source of liquid supply. This delivery, of course, is positive in its action and a cooling effect results because the entire length of the container is effected. Of course, this arrangement allows for a controlled amount of liquid delivered to the Wicks.

Usually bottled water is at room temperature. Prior to depletion of water from the container, a new bottle of water is inverted over the neck thereof, as shown in Figure 2. Ii, however, the container is only partially filled, water from the bottle will ll it to the level shown in the drawing, as is self-evident. However, this water will be at room temperature. By making the neck of relatively small diameter, it is evident that the cubical content of the water within the neck is not large, as the neck is cooled by the method heretofore outlined, the water within the neck soon becomes chilled. This is a distinct advantage of the present construction.

It has been found in actual use and practice that liquid is held in the lower Wick I9 for a considerable time even in dry hot weather and after the reservoir is empty. If both the upper and lower wicks become dry, replenishing the liquid within the reservoir will readily cause a moistening of the upper and lower Wicks and as the upper wick is of shorter length and less area, it soon becomes saturated and the lower wick, of greater area, will likewise readily saturate due to both capillary action and gravity. Furthermore, the lower wick has not suflicient resistance to prevent gravitation of the water therethrough. The air circulation permitted around the periphery of the wicks, together with the air circulation provided by the top and bottom air channels provides for maximum air contact with the lower wick both on the outer surface and a portion of the inner surface thereof.

It will be observed that the structural details of the olla are such that a stand for supporting the same is quite unnecessary, as the annular flange I3 may rest upon some supporting object. Thus, where space is limited, the olla may rest upon a drain board or other suitable supporting object in the kitchen, or elsewhere. Water received within the drain cup 28 may be poured within the reservoir or trough 8 so that liquid is constantly maintained therein.

This form of the invention has a distinct advantage over the form of cooler for bottled water which utilizes a wick adapted to have the lower ends thereof received within the waste water container, because the water must rise within the wick by capillary action and the wicks are usually quite long, with the result that the wick is not always saturated and, furthermore, the lowermost portion of the wick, while saturated, may not have the upper portion thereof moistened where cooling effect is most desired, to-wit, the zone where the water e'nters the container from the bottle. Usually where a waste receiver is used, the surface of the Water is exposed to the atmosphere and if the water is not changed, a scum will appear thereon, causing a foul odor which is communicated to the wick, requiring its replacement within a short period of time. With my invention, the wicks do not require replacement over a long period of time, because the water in the reservoir is constantly being absorbed by the wicks by capillary attraction and by direct gravity.

I claim:

1. Inv a water cooler, a container including a body portion, a reduced diameter neck for said body portion, a reservoir for receiving a liquid, said reservoir surrounding said neck where it joins the upper portion of the body, a porous sleeve surrounding the reservoir and said body and me-ans whereby said porous sleeve is adapted to communicate with the interior of said reser- Voir.

2. In a water cooler, a water-dispensing container provided with a reduced diameter neck, the neck adapted to receive and support an inverted bottle containing water, a reservoir surrounding said neck at its juncture with the body of the container, and a porous sleeve surrounding the neck and received within said reservoir, whereby when water is placed within said reservoir, the sleeve is wetted by capillary action.

3. In a water cooler, a water-dispensing container provided with a reduced diameter neck,

the neck adapted to receive and support an inverted bottle containing water, a reservoir surrounding said neck at its juncture with the body of the container, a porous sleeve surrounding the neck and received within said reservoir, whereby when water is placed within said reservoir, the sleeve is wetted by capillary action, and a porous sleeve surrounding the container and said reservoir and means providing communication of said sleeve with the interior of said reservoir whereby the sl-eeve may be wetted by capillary action and gravity.

4. In a water cooler', a container provided with a neck portion of lesser diameter than the diameter of the container, a reservoir member surrounding said neck portion at its juncture with the body of the container providing an air space between the body and said reservoir, a base for said container of greater diameter than the eX- ternal diameter of the container, said base provided with a rim flange, and a porous sleeve received within the connes of the rim flange of the base yand surrounding said container and said reservoir, whereby when water is placed within said reservoir, said water will saturate said porous sleeve by capillary action and gravity.

5. In a water cooler, a container provided with a neck portion of l-esser diameter than the diameter of the container, a reservoir member surrounding said neck portion at its juncture with the container providing an air space between the body and said reservoir, -a base for said container of greater diameter than the external diameter of the container, said base provided with a rim flange, and a porous sleeve received within the connes of the rim flange of the base and surrounding said container and said reservoir, whereby when water is placed within said reservoir, said water will saturate said porous sleeve by capillary action and gravity, the lower portion of said container be so formed as to provide an air space between it and said base.

WILLIAM C. WILLETS. 

